Question

ou were discussing the topic of euthanasia with a friend and whether or not it is an ethical procedure. Your friend does not believe in it but you feel it is an option depending on the circumstances. You think of your great grandmother who is terminally ill but is in pain and on life support.

Using the text and the Internet, research both the pros and cons of euthanasia.

Answer 1

Euthanasia the practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering.

Euthanasia is categorizedin different ways, which include voluntary, non-voluntary, or involuntary:

• Voluntary euthanasia – On consent of the patient
• Non-voluntary euthanasia - when the explicit consent of the individual concerned is unavailable, such as when the person is in a persistent vegetative state, or in the case of young children.
• Involuntary euthanasia - without asking consent or against the patient's will

Involuntary euthanasia is most definitely unethical and illegal in most countries as it is usually considered murder.

Voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia spark a debate on whether it’s an ethical procedure or not. Below are some points in favour of (pros) and against (cons) euthanasia:

Pros:

1. People have a right to self-determination, and thus should be allowed to choose their own fate. The right to die should be a matter of personal choice.
2. An End To Suffering - People that are living with a terminal illness, or that are in an irreversible coma, are suffering. The quality of life is extremely low. Euthanasia gives these people a way to stop theirs and their family’s suffering
3. Death With Dignity - A person that is bed ridden and sick is at the mercy of nurses, medical staff, and family for things like eating, using the restroom, changing clothes, and bathing. This can be very degrading for a person, and many do not want to be a burden or remembered by their family in such a way. Giving them the opportunity to choose when they die and how they die lets them take control of their own life, and the ability to say what they want to say or do for their family before their death
4. Frees Up Funds And Equipment - Terminally ill patients, or people that are in irreversible comas, use a large portion of the medical funding available. This is also true for space that is available in the hospitals and care facilities. These people, instead of spending weeks, months, or even years using these resources, could die in peace all while saving money and space for the hospitals.
5. Death is still going to happen, one way or the other

Cons:

1. Societies that authorize suicide as a 'choice' for some people soon end up placing pressure on them to 'do the right thing' and kill themselves
2. Seeing suicide as a solution for some illnesses can only undermine the willingness of doctors and society to learn how to show real compassion and address patients' pain and other problems.
3. Alternatives, such as cessation of active treatment, combined with the use of effective pain relief, and palliative care are available
4. Legalising euthanasia will place society on a slippery slope, which will lead to unacceptable consequences
5. One of the most common brought up topics in the euthanasia debate is that of religion. The majority, if not all, religions have very strict views on taking lives, especially your own. It is viewed as one of the ultimate sins against God.
6. Corruption - There are tremendous costs involved in the care of terminally ill patients or patients that are in a coma. These valuable resources are saved in a great amount if a person chooses to participate in physician assisted suicide. This could prompt hospitals and doctors to begin using euthanasia as a means of money saving, which could result in people that have not agreed, being killed

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